I don't know, I just don't know. It was summed up by Dave White on Twitter when he wrote; ever got in from shopping and realised you've forgotten the one thing you went out for? Thats how Lambert feels this morning.

It was written so many times that it doesn't need to be repeated in detail, but we didn't need more kids. We needed experience to get us out of this mess. Aston Villa are the second favourite to be relegated and you can even get odds on us for next season in the Championship.

All I'm saying is prepare yourself, we might very well find ourselves playing in a different league next season. It is now no longer just something that I wasn't prepared to write about, it is now something I'd say there was a 60/40 chance of happening.

Feel sorry for the new boys

And I'm sorry, I should mention Simon Dawkins and Yacouba Sylla and they'll be happy, joining a big name club. One will see this as a potential stepping stone, the other will just be grateful to get out of a league some of us could play in.

I'm sorry, but this isn't good. The writing is on the wall and Faulkner and Lerner have put it there. Lambert can fix this, but he's going to have to go four at the back and he's going to have to get a bit of luck, but it is possible.

But more than luck, it's going to take Lambert to wake up, for the players to play with pride and for us to attack. The thing is, it's the same for every club around us and the likes of QPR have someone that has done this before, as do Wigan. We don't, neither do Reading or Southampton.

Everton tomorrow

So, it comes down to Everton and when we get beaten tomorrow and performances from Sylla and Dawkins were just average or even sloppy, we'll get told they need time and even though we'll all say but that was why you had to buy experience, it doesn't matter.

Because Lambert doesn't care. Sure, he'll say he does and to an extent he does, he cares about winning and losting, but he doesn't have Aston Villa in him, like we do. It is a job for him, like Norwich and he said he loved that club. Now he is suing it.

He doesn't understand the pride. Neither does Lerner or Faulkner.

And that is it. Our Football Club is now in the hands of the footballing Gods. Are they going to be kind or cruel? If they're cruel, in all likelihood, it's over for us. There will never be Europe again. They'll never be that dream of winning the League.

None of us will stop supporting Aston Villa and Lerner is counting on that, but it will be different. They'll be more local derbies for a start. We'll have that belief that it's a good thing. And in time we'll get back to the Premier League, who knows, maybe even the first time. But it will never be the same.

Time for hope

And that is where I leave it today. I'm sorry for the depressing post, but it's 60/40 for me and that is depressing. I could be wrong though and I truly hope I am, but as things stand, you'll not find many people that disagree with my assessment.

Comments (261)

Guest - DAVIDVILLA

Guest - The Good, the Bad and the Villain

Not that I'm cynical you understand but I don't think that anyone has twigged that our last two managers have something in common...
Both have had championship experience and have gained promotion from that league. It strikes me that if a owner wanted to cut the wage bill and reduce spending then he might of deliberately chosen a manager with that experience as well as premier league experience so to hedge his bets - kind of like all bases covered.

We will stay up. Its tough right now but I think we can stay up. As the post said we need to go 4 at the back but I feel we can do it. Have to believe in them. Never heard of the two lads we got until yesterday, I also never heard of Benteke until we got him, im not saying the 2 lads will be as good but lets see. VILLA!!VILLA!!VILLA!!VILLA!!

Guest - villa4life

It's not exactly news now is it? Downing left for big money, Milner left for big money, Young left to win trophies and big money, To be fair I don't think you need to send that info by email, It's public knowledge

Downing was going for 15m and we got an extra 5m for him playing hardball.If Liverpool were willing to pay that much money they obviously wanted him.Likewise manure,AF didnt buy him becasue villa never wanted him he bought him because he wanted him so again im calling bs!!

Guest - vulture

Look at this point folks we have to all realise we are going to be relegated, we are on form by far the worst team in the premiersh over the last month and can anybody honestly see Lambert turning it around. All we can hope for now is that Lambert and our players are better suited to the championship and we can bounce back up. True we will lose: Nzogbia, Benteke,Bent and Vlar but at least we can then buy a few experienced championship players to help us to hopefully bounce back up at the first time of asking, we all have to be realistic and accept this, there is no point in dreaming we will stay up we wont unless a mirace happens and 3 other teams go on a run of a worse run of form than us but its unlikely, QPR, Reading and Southampton are improving all the time

Guest - villa4life

No need to hand in a transfer,

Manure come in with an offer for Young = Sold his head has been turned
City come in for Milner with a big offer = Sold his head has been turned
Pool come in for Downing with a huge offer = To good to turn down also his head has been turned,

Cypriot. If you feel that the information you have obtained is too sensitive to air as a normal post, which is additional information to players leaving that did not request to leave as you have put it.
Then as you have suggested, maybe it would be beneficial to all if you put your findings in an email to Damian, so it can be published through an article on the blog, and then you're using a proper communication channel which you may feel more comfortable with.

I'm sure that the additional information that you may have we would all like to be privy to.

Guest - PROUD HISTORY , SHIT FUTURE?

Cypriot. If you feel that the information you have obtained is too sensitive to air as a normal post, which is additional information to players leaving that did not request to leave as you have put it.
Then as you have suggested, maybe it would be beneficial to all if you put your findings in an email to Damian, so it can be published through an article on the blog, and then you're using a proper communication channel which you may feel more comfortable with.

I'm sure that the additional information that you may have we would all like to be privy to.

Two comments. First off, teams don't come offer money unless the player is interested in playing for them. It wouldn't be worth their time to make an offer if they didn't already know the player was interested. All three players wanted to leave, it's that simple.

Secondly, I'm already tired of all the complaining about the signings. Sure, we're all disappointed, but essentially calling them crap isn't doing anyone any good, and they could both turn out to be quite good players for us. And for the record, no one on this board could get within a sniff of playing in the MLS, and that includes you on your best day, Damian. The league is certainly a step up over both the Championship and Ligue 2 - it's might even be on a par with Ligue 1 except for the elite clubs like PSG, Lyon and Lille. Don't comment if you've never watched it.

Guest - stevieh

Well we all did't get what we wanted in transfer window, but RL FF & Rab L are all useless. We have to put that behind us and swallow our pride and get behind the team to save our premiership status starting tomorrow at Everton, so come on lads lets get some positivity and dump the negativity. Up the villa

Guest - vancouvervillan

Come on lads we are not down yet

I think and hope that PL for all his faults found something out on Tuesday 2nd half, this was one of the few times this season we were actually better 2nd half because we reverted to a 442 and brought on the players with "Fight" Wiemann & Gabby, we were suddenly transformed.
There is still every chance of us staying up if we can reproduce that every game, but we must play a flat back four with regular FB's in a familiar position. Gabby, Benteke, Wiemann with Zoggy in the free role behind them must start, these players will frighten any defence in the PL.
Dawkins should replace Gabby or Wiemann if they tire, and Sylla needs to start to try to relieve the CB's from pressure. KEA is back and available, Delph i think is still injured, we have Sylla & Dawkins, so there is no reason at all to start or involve Bannan.
I think it's quite simple from here on in, if Lambert continues to play with 3 at the back and does not start with the 4 attacking players we had 2nd half Tuesday then we are doomed, starting line up on Saturday should tell us everything we need to know about the coming battle, lets hope PL gets it right.

Guest - ftkv

Guest - vancouvervillan

One other thing it is now more obvious than ever that we have/had no more funds available, Lerner is a p*ss poor owner who continues to misguide us, leaving that aside put yourself in Lambert's shoes yesterday his hands were tied, he was probably dying to tell us all this from 1st Jan, hence the long face all month, now we know for sure.
I suspect that our transfers in would have looked a whole lot different yesterday had we been able to sell Bent, I'm sure we would have bought a CH and a more experienced MF had this happened, the sad fact is no one wants our overpaid experienced players.

it will be fun trying to find the championship away games online next season

I thought exactly the same earlier, add to that match of the day will be almost pointless, FiFa2014 won't have Villa in, even 5live never bother going into detail with Championship games, we will certainly be out of the spotlight.

Last night answered it for me. I feel a bit embarrased, I hid my Villa scarf (the one Randy donated) under my coat before entering the shop earlier.

Guest - Danny Knows His Onions

We could have given ourselves a much better chance of staying up if hadn't of been so deliberately inactive this window. A good centre back and some proven experience would have virtually guarenteed us to stay up. It wouldn't have requiered breaking the bank for either.
I don't undestand what our board are trying to do.
Extreme austerity at wrong point in time . The decision making at board level under Lerner & Faulkner has been frighetningly stupid during their setwardship.

Guest - Az

If we don't start picking up points soon then I would take a gamble on Di Canio for sure. By this point it's quite clear that Lerner doesn't give a s**t if we stay up or go down though. Also wouldn't be surprised if Lambert walks at the end of the season regardless of what happens. Not saying he's blameless but surely he wouldn't have left Norwich if he knew what he was walking into...

I'm good friends with Lewis Devera who is Joe Devera's brother who plays for Swindon aged 25.
Defender who is out with a hamstring at the moment.

I was out with Lewis the elder brother aged 29, having a drink with him on Wednesday night. A personnel fitness trainer. He's planning his wedding in September.
Joe Devera reckons the hardest player he has ever played against is Gabby Agbonlahor because he is so quick.

If anyone gets news of anything Di Canio, let me know and I will be first on the button with any news

Guest - Tunna

Lambert explains that the club can't get players because of the wanted salaries even for loan players. Lambert you mug!

Here you are Paul tell this to the club from me (now your the middle man) this is F**king ENGLAND and we will not die fighting, tell your American guest in this fair land, we won everything we have by fighting not by giving in, i want to Aston Villa to go out fighting.

I don't want Aston Villa to die quietly in its sleep, oh and give Paul Faulkner a kick in the bo**ocks from me, just because he's a c**t!!!

Guest - ordinaryjoe

Peter Withe - now that name brigs back memories.... and there was talk once that he could have been our manager, he was managing Thailand for a while .... I havent googled him so not sure where he is now.

By the way, I cant seem to do the arithmatic, but after so many lost games, it just feels as if we must win at Everton,

Guest - Graymo

I didn't expect any of our players had asked for transfers (other than Barry). Big teams come knocking and offer a price we can't refuse... simple. We're a feeder club and have been as long as I can remember.

Guest - billy.villa

Guest - belfastvilla

Wouldnt touch Di Canio with a bargepole. The guys a lunatic and would heap even more embarrassment on us. Against my better judgement i,m gonna come over in March. Just hope we have given ourselves some hope by then. VTID !

Guest - villaman

Guest - truevillan

Quiet amazing you have Lambert admitting we cannot compete with the likes of Newcastle and Stoke for wages, and we could not bring in a centre back that could have retained our prem status, as the wages were too big, even on loan!
Lerner has sacrificed our prem league status, for the sake of a short term contract, if this is not evidence that he has totally lost interest, then I dont know what is.
the clueless clown is a disgrace! his failure to appoint a football man in the set up, to sort out contracts and give advice, has cost us, and he just sits in America, telling us he watches by live feed, while old deadly still takes up his seat week after week,he would never had let this happen to us.
The decline of our club is shocking and I am sorry to say will continue in the Championship

Guest - astonman

If ever a comment summed up randy Lerner its Lambert's 'we cant compete with the likes of Newcastle and Stoke financially'. That shows what the future holds for us under this american tw*t. We can talk all we want about managers, players and tactics but the reason we are so sh*t is LERNER. Until he goes the misery will continue.

Guest - Get Well Stan

(Graymo)

I didn't expect any of our players had asked for transfers (other than Barry). Big teams come knocking and offer a price we can't refuse... simple. We're a feeder club and have been as long as I can remember.

I very much doubt this is news to anyone on here.

It's not news because it's not based in fact. Barry, Milner, Young, Downing all left to go to club considered in the very top elite of English football. It was well documented that they all wanted to leave and had been offered large new contracts prior to leaving.

Are Man United a feeder club for selling Ronaldo to Real? Pique to Barcelona?

As for today's game, let's all moan our way to victory. Surely the negativity on this board alone could power a wind turbine.

Guest - George

GWS
You were the one person who was supported McTwat and when Lambert arrived and then when optimism was flooding the blog you disappeared. Now everything has gone tits up you’re back; the lone voice supporting the clubs actions and position.

It might fool some on here but I’m sorry it’s blindingly obvious that you’re a bluenose twat.

Guest - Get Well Stan

It's a simple fact that those players I listed above wanted to leave and helped set the things in motion. Lerner could have forced them to stay but it would have been pointless.

As for the personal attacks again it's getting a bit pathetic. I'm a c*nt because I'm trying to inject a bit of optimism and belief that somehow, despite everything, we might stay up? I haven't been posting as much this year because I've been going to more games and had other things on my mind but calling me a bluenose is getting a bit boring. Last years insults.

Let's not slate off these new boys before they've even kicked a ball. Sylla looks like he might be a beast, Dawkins, you never know. The team we have on paper is good enough to stay up, just need Lambert to play a solid, sensible formation that the lads can gain confidence from. No more chopping and changing, it only breeds indecision and sloppiness.

Guest - Granger

Woke up with the normal match day optimism I can't help feeling even though I expect the worse. Then I skimmed the posts and saw astonman's Lambert quote of not competing financially with Stoke and Newcastle! FFS when did he say that? That really sums up our ambition. Still let's sneak a result today and see how the new signings are. Some other poster referring to him as a beast already sounds like official AV PR speak
UTV

Would you play both today???
I wouldnt but Cilla would start for me.I would be tempted to play Clark at LB.
Guzan
Lowton Vlaar Baker/Clark Clark/Bennet
Nzog Cilla Westwood Gabby
Weiman Benteke
If Nzog does play just behind Benteke then Weimann should be dropped for dawkins to maintain the width.Lets see what Lamberk does.

Guest - Granger

I like the idea of Clark at LB in place of Bennet but people out of position in our predicament may not be good. Agree Cilla to start and I would bring on Dawkins for Gabby or Nzog whichever tires first (pref Gabby leaving Nzog roaming)

im not a big fan of playing Weimann wide though with Nzog behind Benteke,sort of defeats the object imo.Could start with nzog wide and bring Dawkins on for weimann but if weiman starts for me its up top and not wide.

Guest - villarocks

just a few thoughts of mine regarding the article. i totally agree that the signings brought in were to prepare for the championship, and the odds of 60/40 relegated ithink are too generous, 70/30 is probably more like it. i also dont think that RL and PF are even naive enough to think we will come straight back up. i think they just dont care. i for one would embrace relegation with a sense of relief. we had seasons similar to this under deadly doug, but usually he would get his finger out and do what ever it took to change things. but when we did have these poor seasons the precautions would be taken to ensure that the following season wasnt a repeat (dr jo - big ron - brian little - john gregory). however we have been going through these motions 3 seasons in a row now ( finishing 9th under GH was a fluke),and if we stay up by some miracle, next season will be exactly the same.
my answer is certainly not to have deadly doug back. that would be even worse. the thing isi actually dont have an answer. we can only sit back and watch RL & PF destroy our beloved club, i will continue to support,but they wont see a penny of mine until they have earned it.
i do wonder what the future holds for AVFC, where i think were going doesnt look good. unless RL changes his attitude towards our club (to the same or similar attitude of his first 4 years as chairman) then eventually AVFC will be sold. if your thinking of billionaire oil barrons, dont. there are more impressive options out there than a mid table AVFC in the Championship. Everton, Newcastle and even WBA would be much more better option, with their history, prestige and more importantly immediate prem football. itis fairly obvious RL is balancing the books, weather its fora sale or not. the thing is, if your stinking rich like Man Citys and chelseas owners you probably aint that bothered by a bit of debt. what im saying is look at Portsmouth, i think that is where we are going. sorry.

Guest - Granger

like your thoughts jonnah but Ireland will leave Cilla too much to do in a debut and youve got to play Gabby away from home,hes such an outlet.Youre team looks more like it could be played at home but 442 or 451 it has to be as long as width is played.I think i will hurt someone if i see a 352!!!

Guest - Get Well Stan

Guest - Rocco

We could have quite easily got out of the relegation zone with a couple of buys or loans but you know what that prick Lerner has completely sold us down the river

Lerner has lied to us more than once, he is worse than the Venkys and they are without a doubt the pits when it comes to ownership

He takes every fan for granted and treats us like retards, he employs dreadful yes men around him

lambert has also gone right down in my books too, he"s jut in for the money as any manager with an ounce of integrity would have told Lerner to stick his **** job and **** club up his stupid fat American arse

And before my rant is over that greedy **** Ellis should bloody well say something as if he can't see what is going on then he really has lost his marbles

4 4 2 with Weinmann and Benteke up top for me, Andi is becoming an accomplished PL goal scorer and a big threat to opposition teams who must surely prefer a team without him rather than with him. Playing Sylla is a risk we have no real idea of how good or otherwise he is, he could be just what we are looking for or simply not good enough, we just dont know, an we find ourselves again having to experiment on the hoof, at this stage in our situation sadly we have few options.

If the new guys are as dreadful as most are expecting them to be because of the fact that they not only don't have prem league experience ,but the leagues that they have played in are not good enough for them to be considered to play in the prem league,we should change to 4-4-2,like this :

Just cannot see us getting anything out of this game today. Everton are a solid solid side with an excellent manager.
We need to hope that Benteke is on fire and we happen by the grace of god to have a lucky day at the back!
The thought of Fellaini being marked by Clark sends shivers down my spine

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The Villa Blog began in 2005 but has changed names a few times. First, it was Aston Villa Blog, then AVFC Blog but now it's finally settled on The Villa Blog.

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